When an ethical concern arises, what is the proper course of action?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Notify only the project manager
• C. Document concerns and report through the firm’s ethics process
• D. Report through the firm’s ethics process, document concerns, and take corrective actions, respecting whistleblower protections

Answer: (D)

When an ethical concern arises, the proper course is to follow the firm’s established ethics process, document what happened, and take corrective actions while respecting whistleblower protections. This approach creates a clear, auditable trail of what occurred, ensures the issue is reviewed by the right people, and drives real steps to fix the problem rather than just noting it. It also protects the person raising the concern from retaliation, which encourages honest reporting and helps prevent future incidents.

Choosing to do nothing leaves risk unresolved and can damage trust and safety. Notifying only the project manager may miss broader policy or systemic issues and often bypasses the formal process and protections. Documenting concerns and reporting through the ethics process is essential, but without taking corrective actions and protecting the reporter, the issue may not be resolved or prevented from recurring.